The Holy Spirit Patiently Explains

I am grateful for good health!

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32

Me: Good morning, Holy Spirit!

Holy Spirit: Good morning, Jon!

I know You are One who is freely given:

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

John 16

The part of Jesus’ explanation, of what You are come to do, needs some more explaining for me. He said You would convict of righteousness, because He was going to the Father, and that He would be seen no more (in the flesh in that day). That part is not so obvious to me. Are You convicting the world about righteousness? The world seems to be “going off the rails”.

Holy Spirit: You are perplexed by what you see in the natural realm, every man doing what seems right in his own eyes. The Scripture tells you this is not new. It goes all the way back to the garden.

So when the woman (being deceived) saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Genesis 3:6

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes
But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Proverbs 12:15

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the hearts.

Proverbs 21:2

[Also, Deuteronomy 12:8, Judges 17:6, Job 32:1]

This comes back to what the Father told Adam, that disobedience leads to death.

There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:2

And of course, this is still going on. When Jesus was preaching and teaching He was making true righteousness known. He was saying in John 16 (that you asked about) that He was going to the Father, that the message was going to transition from His external witness to My internal witness. This is also why it would be to the advantage of His hearers. And, just as many rejected Jesus’ words, concerning righteousness, so many reject the impressions they get from Me on that subject.

Jesus knew this. It is why He often issued the challenge, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” [Matthew 11:15, and many other passages]

Isaiah saw the work I Am sent to do.

6 Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55

I Am convicting those who have not hardened their hearts against My voice, those who yet have ears to hear. It may not be obvious, except to those who truly know them, for they find peace. They are not noisome like those who are constantly encouraging and approving ungodly behavior. (Romans 1:31-32)

Me: Thank You, Holy Spirit! I love You!

Holy Spirit: You are welcome! I love you!